Summary

In Chapter Five Miri's reading skills keep getting better. Miri feels isolated from the other girls and misses Peder, Pa, and Marda. One afternoon Miri decides to stay in the classroom while the other girls are released outside, and she attempts to read "The History of Danland." When she cannot read it and does not know the word "commerce" she trades it for a book entitled "Tales," but must hide the book when Olana enters the classroom. Miri continues to practice reading in the bedchamber for the following weeks while the others are outside. A few days later in class, Miri is the only one who is able to read out of "The History of Danland," Katar is jealous of Miri's success in class. Later that evening Miri overhears Bena, Liana, and Katar talking about her performance in class and her chances with the...